HARRISON, N.J. – The Richmond Kickers got a late goal from Brian Ownby to earn a 1-1 draw with the New York Red Bulls II on Saturday evening at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls II had multiple chances to take the lead before the breakthrough arrived in the 68th minute when a low cross by Konrad Plewa found Junior Flemmings 15 yards out. His shot hit the left post, but Anatole Abang was on hand to put home the rebound for his third goal this season. The Kickers hit back in the final minute to earn a point, however, as a fine cross by Alex Lee was flicked home by the head of Ownby to take a point back to Virginia.

Scoring:
68’ – NY – Anatole Abang (Junior Flemmings)
90’ – RIC – Brian Ownby (Alex Lee)

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. New York created a number of good chances early in the second half, but was unable to capitalize. The biggest arrived off a beautiful cross by Konrad Plewa in the 57th minute, but Anatole Abang was unable to convert at the top of the six-yard area, a chance you’d expect the striker to normally put away, but he redeemed himself midway through the second half with a simple rebound finish after Junior Flemmings’ shot had come back off the post.

• 2. It was going to be an uphill struggle for the Kickers to find an equalizer, but their late pressure finally paid off moments before the final whistle as Brian Ownby’s fine header tucked home a good cross by Alex Lee. The goal was the first New York had conceded in the second half this season, and allowed the Kickers to earn a very valuable point as they bounced back from their midweek defeat in Toronto.

• 3. The Red Bulls II will be disappointed to not have held on for all three points, as the earlier chances they had came back to haunt them thanks to the Kickers’ late goal. This had all the feel of a game we’ll be seeing later this season in the postseason, however, with both teams putting together strong passages of play that was in keeping with their current position in the Eastern Conference standings.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Konrad Plewa, New York Red Bulls II – The right back was excellent throughout the game for the hosts, and created numerous scoring chances for the Red Bulls II as he linked up down the flank to give New York enough chances to take victory.

Upcoming Games:

May 21: New York Red Bulls at FC Montreal, 3 p.m. ET, Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard

May 21: Richmond Kickers vs. Louisville City FC, 7 p.m. ET, City Stadium